In this episode, Ricardo Migueis speaks with Matthias Björnmalm, Secretary General of CESAR, about the shifting role of European universities in a time when science, sovereignty, and security are increasingly intertwined. Matthias reflects on his international journey through different research environments and how those experiences have shaped his views on collaboration, responsibility, and the broader role of science in society.

The conversation dives into CESAR’s work supporting European universities of science and technology, its diverse membership, and the careful balance between openness and research security. Matthias explains how dual-use technologies, defense research, and governance structures require thoughtful, interdisciplinary approaches rooted in strong ethical foundations.

Ricardo and Matthias explore the tension between academic autonomy and institutional compliance, the influence of European funding frameworks, and the risk of overly directive policies that could undermine innovation. They also discuss the importance of foresight in preparing for future skills needs and the responsibilities universities carry when it comes to societal impact and global engagement.

Throughout the episode, Matthias makes the case for universities especially technical ones to act as reflective, engaged institutions that not only generate knowledge but help steer societal progress across local, national, and European levels.

Takeaways

• European universities must navigate the growing intersection between science, security, and sovereignty while preserving academic integrity.
• Governance models in universities must balance institutional autonomy with compliance and societal accountability, particularly in sensitive domains.
• Ethical engagement in research, especially in defense and dual use technologies, requires interdisciplinary input and reflective institutional mechanisms.
• Top down policy frameworks risk limiting innovation and undermining the capacity for critical scientific exploration.
• Universities should actively shape policy discourse, particularly in strategic areas such as research security, knowledge protection, and societal resilience.
• Open engagement with global partners must be balanced against emerging constraints in knowledge security and geopolitical shifts.
• The concept of “autonomy traps” illustrates the risks of assigning universities responsibilities beyond their core missions without adequate support or authority.
• Strategic coherence across European funding instruments remains essential; policy structures should prioritise functional synergies over administrative consolidation.
• Technical universities have a pivotal role in foresight processes, particularly in anticipating future skills needs and guiding societal transitions.
• CESAR positions itself as a solution oriented, peer driven network that aims to elevate European science and technology in service of the public good.
• Research integrity frameworks must evolve to address contemporary challenges, supporting informed and contextual decision making at all institutional levels.
• Cultural change within funding institutions and governance structures is necessary to enable effective and resilient synergies.
• Universities are not isolated entities but are embedded in societal systems. They must engage meaningfully with their communities to retain legitimacy and relevance.
• Maintaining openness in higher education and research requires thoughtful mechanisms that do not compromise institutional trust or mission.
• Europe’s strategic autonomy in science and technology must be grounded in collaborative foresight, broad engagement, and support for bottom up innovation.

The 2025 INESC Brussels HUB Summer Meeting, titled "Strategic Autonomy & Dual-Use R&I: Coherence, Capabilities & Europe’s Future.

Access the full programme and registration details here

In this episode, Ricardo Migueis sits with Eszter Lakos, a member of the European Parliament, to explore the concept of widening in European research and innovation.

They discuss the importance of leadership, trust, and cultural shifts in fostering collaboration across Europe. Eszter shares her personal journey and insights into the challenges and successes of widening initiatives, emphasizing the need for a living system approach that goes beyond mere policy.

The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of institutional structures and personal agency in driving change within the European research landscape. They discuss the complexities of mainstreaming in research funding, the importance of maintaining excellence, and the challenges faced by widening institutions.

They explore the concept of a 'ghetto' in research funding, the need for alignment between funding programs, and the role of cohesion funds. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of political cohesion and the future of widening in European research, culminating in a vision for 2035 where institutions in widening regions are autonomous and competitive.

Takeaways

• Widening is more than a policy; it's a living system.
• Leadership in research requires deep listening and understanding.
• Cultural shifts are essential for effective collaboration.
• Trust is a fundamental element in research and innovation.
• Widening countries carry historical legacies that impact development.
• Successful initiatives often stem from visionary leadership.
• Institutional inertia can slow down necessary changes.
• Collaboration between academia and industry is crucial for progress.
• Mainstreaming widening across EU programs is a potential solution.
• Flexibility in instruments can enhance stakeholder engagement. Mainstreaming in research funding must not dilute excellence.
• Widening institutions should not be seen as inferior.
• Positive self-reinforcement is crucial for widening programs.
• Alignment of funding programs is necessary for effective research.
• Cohesion funds play a significant role in research and innovation.
• Widening is a choice that reflects political cohesion.
• The future of widening must be integrated into the framework program.
• A strong knowledge base is essential for global competitiveness.
• Widening can help retain talent within the EU.
• Political conditions are necessary for a cohesive widening program.

Chapters

00:06: Introduction to Widening in European Research

02:31: Eszter Lakos: A Journey of Leadership and Values

13:37: Widening as a Living System: Understanding the Ecosystem

22:31: Challenges in Resource Distribution and Trust

27:14: Navigating Institutional Structures and Personal Agency

31:57: Current Dynamics in Widening: Successes and Challenges

41:37: Mainstreaming and Excellence in Research Funding

44:11: The Ghetto Concept in Widening Institutions

46:40: Positive Self-Reinforcement in Widening Programs

49:15: Aligning Funding Programs for Research and Innovation

52:29: The Role of Cohesion Funds in Research

56:44: Widening as a Choice for Political Cohesion

01:01:12: Future of Widening in European Research

01:08:35: Imagining the European Research Landscape in 2035

The 2025 INESC Brussels HUB Summer Meeting, titled "Strategic Autonomy & Dual-Use R&I: Coherence, Capabilities & Europe’s Future," will bring together research-performing organisations (RPOs), EU policymakers, national authorities, and industry representatives to examine how Europe can reinforce its strategic autonomy through research, innovation, and coordinated funding.

Access the full programme and registration details here

In this episode of The Insider, Ricardo Migueis discusses the evolving role of research performing organizations in Europe, emphasizing the need for systemic thinking in research and innovation policy. He introduces the concept of the 'Fraunhofer moment' to illustrate how these organizations are becoming strategic actors in shaping Europe's future.

Ricardo highlights the importance of building ecosystems that foster collaboration and adaptability, and outlines key priorities for future framework programs to support this vision.

Takeaways

• We are all system builders now.
• Europe's ambitions require tangible outcomes, not just declarations.
• Research organizations are moving beyond traditional roles.
• Ecosystem thinking is essential for addressing complex challenges.
• Missions in Horizon Europe need to create space for connection.
• Public policy must focus on creating supportive frameworks.
• Excellence should encompass institutional management and collaboration.
• Building alliances is crucial for long-term impact.
• Leadership in research and innovation must be visionary and resilient.
• The real work lies in shaping the systems that carry ambition forward.

Chapters

00:00: Introduction to The Insider

00:58: The Role of Research Performing Organizations

05:45: The Concept of Ecosystems in Research and Innovation

10:05: Priorities for Future Framework Programs

13:01: The Importance of Systemic Thinking

The 2025 INESC Brussels HUB Summer Meeting, titled "Strategic Autonomy & Dual-Use R&I: Coherence, Capabilities & Europe’s Future," will bring together research-performing organisations (RPOs), EU policymakers, national authorities, and industry representatives to examine how Europe can reinforce its strategic autonomy through research, innovation, and coordinated funding.

Access the full programme and registration details here

How can Europe’s Research & Technology Infrastructures (RTIs) create real impact, beyond research labs and into industrial resilience, digital transformation, and societal well-being?

In this episode of The Insider, host Ricardo Migueis discusses the key takeaways from the HUB Winter Meeting in Porto, where experts examined one of the biggest gaps in EU innovation policy: the missing framework for technology infrastructures (TIs).

With insights from leading voices at the European Commission, ESFRI, Technopolis, and TNO, this episode covers:

1. Why bridging research infrastructures (RIs) and technology infrastructures (TIs) is essential for Europe’s competitiveness.
2. How the RITIFI project is developing ecosystem-based approaches to unify RIs and TIs.
3. The challenges SMEs face in accessing cross-border infrastructures and how policy must adapt.
4. What it takes to fund and sustain cutting-edge pilot lines and living labs beyond single-shot grants.

Europe has spent 20 years developing a policy for research infrastructures but what about technology ones? The Porto meeting addressed this question, and this episode shares the key discussions and insights.

Listen now to explore how RTIs can strengthen Europe’s R&I landscape.

This conversation explores the evolution of INESC TEC, a pioneering institution in Portugal that transformed from a national entity to a global leader in research and innovation.

Professor José Manuel Mendonça discusses the challenges and decisions that shaped INESC TEC's trajectory, including its governance structure, collaboration with the University of Porto, the impact of structural funding, and the role of European integration in its strategic direction.

The discussion highlights the importance of vision, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of innovation in navigating the complexities of research and development. In this conversation, José Mendonça discusses Portugal's manufacturing capabilities, the importance of quality representation in Europe, and the evolution of international partnerships, particularly with institutions like MIT and Carnegie Mellon.

He emphasizes INESC TEC's role in supporting public policy and the need for structured science-based policy analysis. The discussion also touches on the importance of agenda setting in technology and innovation, and the future outlook for Portugal in the global context.

Takeaways

• INESC TEC emerged during a transformative period in Portugal's history.
• The institution evolved from a centralized model to a multi-institutional approach.
• Collaboration with universities was crucial for INESC TEC's growth.
• Structural funding played a significant role in INESC TEC's success.
• European integration provided strategic opportunities for collaboration.
• INESC TEC's governance model fostered autonomy and professional management.
• The culture of innovation was cultivated through strong leadership and vision.
• INESC TEC's success is attributed to its ability to balance research and technology transfer.
• The institution's growth was supported by partnerships with local industries.
• INESC TEC's journey reflects broader changes in Portugal's research and innovation landscape. Portugal is strong in exporting high-value goods.
• European projects have significantly impacted traditional industries in Portugal.
• Quality representation in Europe has evolved over time.
• International partnerships with US institutions have been transformative.
• INESC TEC plays a crucial role in advising public policy.
• There is a growing demand for science-based policy analysis.
• Institutions should be systematically consulted for public policy advice.
• Agenda setting is essential for addressing future challenges.
• Technological trends must be filtered for relevance to local needs.
• The future outlook for Portugal is promising with ongoing innovation.

Chapters

00:00: The Journey Begins: Portugal in the 1980s

17:40: Governance and Collaboration: INESC TEC and University of Porto

31:06: Structural Funding: A Catalyst for Growth

40:21: European Integration: Shaping INESC TEC's Strategic Direction

49:41: Portugal's Manufacturing Competence

58:44: Building International Partnerships

01:14:26: INESC TEC's Role in Public Policy

01:21:24: The Need for Structured Science-Based Policy Analysis

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The INESC Brussels HUB Winter Meeting 2025

📅 Date: March 6, 2025

📍 Location: Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto (Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto)

The organisation welcomes the participation and partnership of the national research and innovation funding agencies (FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia & ANI – Agência Nacional de Inovação).

The event will bring together key European and national policymakers, research and technology infrastructure managers, and funding agencies to discuss the evolving policy landscape and identify strategic investment models for RTIs.

Read more and register here: https://hub.inesc.pt/inesc-brussels-hub-winter-meeting-2025/

Welcome to The Insider, the podcast where we dissect the most pressing debates shaping Europe’s research and innovation future. And today, we go straight to the heart of one of the most defining battles in EU policymaking: Will we still have an independent, standalone Framework Programme 10? Will European research and innovation remain a driving force for competitiveness and discovery—or will it become just another budget line item in the competitiveness fund and broader priorities?

The European Commission’s latest strategic documents—the Competitiveness Compass and The Road to the Next Multiannual Financial Framework have sent shockwaves through the R&I community. A European Competitiveness Fund is emerging, but with no explicit commitment to FP10. Meanwhile, the European Parliament continues to advocate for a robust, ring-fenced R&I budget. The battle lines are drawn.

In this episode, your host, Ricardo Migueis, Head of INESC Brussels HUB, is joined by one of the most outspoken figures in European R&I policy—Kurt Deketelaere. As Secretary-General of the League of European Research Universities, he has spent decades leading the fight for R&I independence. A lawyer, professor, and policy strategist, he has advised governments, universities, and industry leaders, shaping the trajectory of EU R&I funding like few others.

Today, we ask the hard questions: What happens if FP10 is absorbed into a broader industrial strategy? Can Europe afford to shift towards a more politically driven funding model? And should we—finally—rethink the balance between EU-level R&I investment and national R&I spending?

Kurt has been vocal: He supports a €200 billion FP10, fully ring-fenced, protected from short-term budgetary shifts. But he also argues that Europe needs direct EU revenue streams, stable funding that isn’t subject to the political will of national governments. Meanwhile, the Commission is already laying the groundwork for conditionalities—if Member States want EU R&I money, they must step up their own investment, pushing towards 3% GDP in R&I. A revolution? Or just a necessary correction?

Fundamental research. The independence of the European Research Council. The need to streamline the EU funding architecture. The role of R&I as a weapon of mass diplomacy. The fierce battle over efficiency, effectiveness, and political control over R&I priorities. And the existential question—who should pay for European R&I, the EU or its Member States? The answers will define the next decade.

This is a conversation about R&I, about power, economics, and Europe’s place in the world. And with Kurt, we’re not here to tiptoe around the issues. We’re here to challenge, to debate, and to push for the future of European R&I.

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The INESC Brussels HUB Winter Meeting 2025

📅 Date: March 6, 2025

📍 Location: Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto (Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto)

The organisation welcomes the participation and partnership of the national research and innovation funding agencies (FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia & ANI – Agência Nacional de Inovação).

The event will bring together key European and national policymakers, research and technology infrastructure managers, and funding agencies to discuss the evolving policy landscape and identify strategic investment models for RTIs.

Read more and register here: https://hub.inesc.pt/inesc-brussels-hub-winter-meeting-2025/

In this episode, Ricardo Migueis interviews Francesco Molinari, a prominent figure in European research and innovation.

They discuss Molinari's extensive career, the concept of EraHubs, and the challenges facing European innovation ecosystems.

The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration, knowledge valorization, and the need for a cultural shift in public administration to foster innovation.

Takeaways

• Francesco Molinari has a diverse background in European innovation.
• EraHubs aim to bridge gaps in innovation ecosystems.
• Collaboration across regions is essential for innovation success.
• Knowledge valorization encompasses societal needs and policy changes.
• Public procurement can drive innovation at the entrepreneurial level.
• Smart specialization strategies have not fully achieved their goals.
• A multi-stakeholder approach is vital for effective innovation.
• Policy innovation is necessary to overcome existing barriers.
• Cultural change in public administration is crucial for progress.
• Learning from experience can transform public sector mindsets.

Chapters

00:00: Introduction to Francesco Molinari and His Journey

11:18: Understanding Innovation Ecosystems and EraHubs

25:09: Defining EraHubs: Purpose and Importance

48:15: Challenges in European Research and Innovation

Has Europe's approach to innovation shifted? This episode of "The Insider" examines the European Commission's Competitiveness Compass, a strategic initiative that aims to redefine how research and innovation are funded across Europe.

The Competitiveness Compass introduces changes that align research funding more closely with economic and industrial objectives. This shift has sparked extensive discussion among European academics, researchers, and policymakers. We highlight opinions from José Carlos Caldeira of INESC TEC, Marta Agostinho from EU-LIFE, and Silvia Gomez Recio of YERUN, who evaluate the potential effects on the research community and Europe's global competitive stance.

This episode addresses concerns about whether these changes could compromise the core principles of independent scientific research in pursuit of economic goals. We also consider how this strategic direction might affect Europe’s standing as a leader in innovation while continuing its dedication to fundamental research.

We discuss the implications of focusing on industrial and economic outcomes over scientific discovery and whether this focus could fundamentally alter the European research scene. The conversation aims to identify a practical balance that fosters economic growth without neglecting Europe's long-standing tradition of scientific excellence.

Tune in for a detailed analysis of the Competitiveness Compass and its implications for reshaping European research and innovation.

Takeaways

• The Competitiveness Compass represents a significant shift in EU research funding.
• There is growing concern about the influence of industrial priorities on research.
• Researchers fear a loss of autonomy and bottom-up research initiatives.
• Long-term funding strategies are essential for sustainable research growth.
• The EU's research funding is often treated as a secondary priority.
• National governments are increasingly relying on EU funding to compensate for underinvestment.
• The European Research Council's independence is at risk due to new funding priorities.
• Global competition necessitates a reevaluation of Europe's research strategy.
• Attracting top talent requires a commitment to open and collaborative research environments.
• The future of FP10 is critical for the sustainability of European research.

Chapters

00:00: Introduction to the Competitiveness Compass

02:45: The Shift in Research Funding Priorities

06:09: Concerns Over Industrial Influence in Research

08:50: The Need for Long-Term Research Strategy

11:52: Impact of Funding Shifts on Research Landscape

15:15: Balancing National and EU Research Funding

18:05: Global Context of Research Funding

20:52: The Challenge of Attracting Talent

24:08: The Financial Commitment to Research

26:55: Conclusion and Future of European Research